LANSING, Mich. —Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, on Thursday paid tribute to the dedication of Michigan’s first responders as well as the valiant service of Berrien County bailiffs Joseph Zangaro and Ron Kienzle, who were killed on duty in July. Here are highlights of Proos’ remarks:

“Fifteen years ago, on Sept. 11, we saw one of the greatest losses of life in American history in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania. But it was a tragedy that did in fact unite us as Americans.

“I believe that it’s a testament to our nation and our nation’s resolve that when attacked, we came together as a stronger nation dedicated to the ideals of freedom and liberty. 9/11 illustrates that freedom, the fact that it’s not free and reminds us that our country has a great way of life worth defending.

“This summer at the Berrien County Courthouse, an inmate in handcuffs wrestled away a deputy’s gun, gained possession of a firearm and ultimately used that weapon to shoot and kill two bailiffs: Joseph Zangaro, a retired Michigan State Police lieutenant and chief Berrien County Courthouse bailiff for 13 years; and Ron Kienzle, a U.S. Army veteran and a retired Benton Township Police Department officer who had worked for Berrien County as a bailiff for 10 years.

“I would like to ask for a moment of silence to honor the men and women who serve our state and our nation in uniform and for the brave first responders as we commemorate the memories of the two bailiffs in Berrien County here on this anniversary of 9/11.”

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Editor’s note: Proos’ resolution is available online by clicking here.